Pulling a brush through a mat is one of the fastest ways to make a dog dread grooming altogether, which is why what goes on before the brush touches the coat can matter more than the brush itself.

Wahl's Easy Groom Detangler is a professional-strength de-matting spray designed to separate and condition hair without pulling. It's silicone-free, so it won't leave a slippery or sticky residue, and it can be left in the coat afterwards as a leave-in conditioner. It's a 500ml bottle.

• 500ml bottle
• Professional-strength de-matting formula
• Silicone-free
• Can be left in as a conditioner
• Designed to separate hair without pulling

One thing worth flagging. Wahl don't give us a full ingredient list or a specific coat-type recommendation on this card, so on a badly matted coat this is a step to make brushing easier rather than a substitute for careful, gradual de-matting — a mat close to the skin can still need proper attention rather than just spray and brush.

Who it's for: owners maintaining a longer or thicker coat who want an easier brushing session, or dealing with the beginnings of matting before it gets established.